Refrigeration device

ABSTRACT

A refrigeration device comprising a housing, a door, a refrigeration circuit comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor and electronic components for operating the refrigeration device. A channel for conducting an electric line or a refrigeration circuit connection is integrated into the interior of the housing and/or the door.

The invention relates to a refrigeration device comprising a refrigeration circuit comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, and electronic components for operating the refrigeration device.

In addition to the refrigeration circuit, a refrigeration device comprises electronic components such as, for example, a control system for maintaining a desired temperature inside the refrigeration circuit, a temperature sensor for measuring the current temperature or a light inside the housing of the refrigeration device. The electronic components are usually attached at various locations inside or on the refrigeration device and connected with electrical leads. The electrical leads are laid, for example, in the form of wiring harnesses inside the housing of the refrigeration device, for example, by embedding them in foam during manufacture of the housing. Since the electrical leads are embedded in foam, subsequent running of cables is at least highly complex if not completely impossible.

It is thus the object of the present invention to design a refrigeration device in such a manner that the running of electrical cables can be configured more flexibly.

The object of the invention is achieved by a refrigeration device comprising a housing, a door, a refrigeration circuit comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, and electronic components for operating the refrigeration device, characterised in that a channel for passing through an electric line or a refrigeration circuit connection is integrated inside the housing and/or the door. The integrated channel makes it possible to lay electrical leads after manufacturing the housing. Also a faulty electrical lead can be exchanged which is not possible when an electrical lead is embedded in foam.

According to one embodiment of the refrigeration device according to the invention, this is a modular refrigeration device comprising a plurality of surface heat-insulated elements which can be connected to one another and detached from one another and when connected, form the housing of the refrigeration device. An advantage of this embodiment is that the refrigeration device according to the invention can be delivered to an end consumer for example, in the non-assembled state, i.e. dismantled, so that this end consumer can assemble the surface heat-insulated elements, for example, comprising two side elements, a base element, a top element and a rear wall to form a functional refrigeration device. However, surface heat-insulated elements can also be a combination, for example, of a side element and a top element, i.e. a surface heat-insulated element is a part of the housing of the refrigeration device. The individual heat-insulated elements can each comprise an inner cladding and an outer cladding which enclose a cavity filled with a heat-insulating material. If the rear wall is to be configured as particularly compact, this can comprise a recess located in the lower area of the rear wall in which the condenser is fixed. The size of the recess is preferably adapted to the spatial extensions of the condenser and thus preferably does not extend over the entire width of the rear wall. The recess can be accessible from outside the housing so that the condenser can release waste heat to the surroundings of the assembled refrigeration device.

According to one variant of the modular refrigeration device according to the invention, an electrical power supply for the electronic components of the refrigeration device and/or the electrical line for the electrical control signals for the refrigeration circuit transmitted by the electronic components are guided in the channel. In particular, if the electrical power supply for the electronic components goes out from the rear wall on which the refrigeration circuit is possibly located, the expenditure for the electrical power supply of the entire refrigeration device can then be minimised and the refrigeration device can thus be made as compact as possible.

If the refrigeration device according to the invention comprises a modular refrigeration device, it is then provided in particular that it can be assembled by a customer themselves, for example, at home. In addition to mechanical connection of the surface heat-insulated elements, depending on the design it can also be necessary to make any electrical connections such as, for example, an electrical lead from the refrigeration control system to the refrigeration circuit. Such an electrical connection can then be made relatively simply if, according to a preferred embodiment of the refrigeration device according to the invention, respectively one channel for an electrical line is arranged in two surface heat-insulated elements to be joined and an electrical contact device is arranged in one of these surface heat-insulated elements, which contact device automatically makes electrical contact with an electrical mating contact device integrated in this surface heat-insulated element during the mechanical connection of this surface heat-insulated element to the other surface heat-insulated element. Such a contact/mating contact device is, for example, an electrical plug-socket device and it is advantageous if the contact device is fixed at the position on the rear wall which adjoins the other surface heat-insulated element after the mechanical connection.

So that the refrigeration device according to the invention has as few electrical connection points as possible in the case of the modular refrigeration device, both the electrical power supply for the electronic components and also electric control signals from the electronic components to the refrigeration circuit are preferably guided via the electrical contact and mating contact device.

According to one variant of the refrigeration device according to the invention, all the electronic components of the refrigeration device are combined to form an electronics unit. Combining all the electronic components of the refrigeration device to form a single electronics unit creates conditions for reducing the number of electrical leads. The electronic components comprise, for example, a temperature sensor, the temperature control electronics, an adjusting device for adjusting the desired temperature or a lighting device for illuminating the interior of the housing.

According to one variant of the refrigeration device according to the invention, the electronics unit is secured to an inner side of the surface heat-insulating element in which the channel is integrated so that this is only accessible when the door of the refrigeration device is open. The electronics unit is appropriately fixed to the top element or to one of the side elements.

The channel is advantageously laid in the surface heat-insulated element to which the electronics unit is affixed. It is particularly advantageous if one end of the channel leads to the electronics unit and the other end of the channel leads to the contact device or mating contact device so that, for example, both the electrical power supply for the electronics unit and also the electrical lead for the electrical control signals for the refrigeration circuit transmitted by the electronics unit can be guided in the same channel. This produces a relatively clear and simple cable run. It is also advantageous if the channel runs in the rear wall and one end of the channel ends at the electrical contact device or mating contact device so that the electrical power supply for the electronics unit and the electrical lead for the electrical control signals for the refrigeration circuit transmitted by the electronics unit can again be guided in this channel.

An exemplary embodiment of a refrigeration device according to the invention which is a modular refrigeration device in the case of the present exemplary embodiment is shown as an example in the following schematic figures. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows the modular refrigeration device when assembled,

FIG. 2 shows the rear wall with the refrigeration circuit of the refrigeration device shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the top element with an electronics unit of the refrigeration device shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows the rear wall and the base element completely separated from one another,

FIG. 5 shows the rear wall and the base element in the joined state,

FIG. 6 shows the rear wall with the base element joined thereto and the top element separated therefrom,

FIG. 7 shows the ready assembled housing of the refrigeration device,

FIG. 8 shows the housing and a door of the refrigeration device in the non-assembled state and

FIG. 9 shows the housing of the refrigeration device with partially mounted door.

FIG. 1 shows a modular refrigeration device 1 assembled and ready for use. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the refrigeration device 1 comprises two side walls 2 and 3, a top element 4, a base element 5, a rear wall 6 and a door 7 which have been assembled to form the refrigeration device 1. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the two side walls 2 and 3, the top element 4, the base element 5 and the rear wall 6 form the housing G of the refrigeration device 1 which can be closed by the door 7. Interior equipment of the refrigeration device 1 such as, for example, drawers or storage trays is not shown in further detail in the figures. However, a ribbed panel R for accommodating storage trays is shown. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the ribbed panel R was produced during a drawing or injection moulding process of the inner cladding of the side walls 2 and 3 which encloses a heat-insulating material. The two side walls 2 and 3, the top element 4, the base element 5, the rear wall 6 and the door 7 are joined one to the other in such a manner that they can be detached from one another again.

The two side walls 2 and 3, the top element 4, the base element 5, the rear wall 6 and the door 7 are embodied as surface heat-insulated elements and in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, each comprise an inner and an outer cladding which enclose a cavity filled with a heat-insulating material. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the heat-insulating material is an insulating foam 12. As an example FIG. 2 shows the rear wall 6 with its inner cladding 6 a and its outer cladding 6 b in greater detail.

Furthermore, the entire refrigeration circuit of the refrigeration device 1 is affixed to the rear wall 6. The refrigeration circuit substantially comprises an evaporator 8, a condenser 9, a compressor 10, lines connecting the evaporator 8, the condenser 9 and the compressor 10 not shown in detail in the figures and a refrigerant not shown in detail. Both the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9, both comprising tube-on-plate heat exchangers in the case of the present exemplary embodiment and being designed as substantially identical in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, are embedded in the insulating foam 12 of the rear wall 6. In this case, the evaporator 8 is in heat-conducting contact with the inner cladding 6 a and the condenser 9 is in heat-conducting contact with the outer cladding 6 b. The condenser 9 can thereby release its heat relatively efficiently to the ambient air of the refrigeration device 1 and the evaporator 8 can relatively efficiently cool the interior of the housing G of the refrigeration device 1. Furthermore, it is thereby possible to provide as much insulating foam 12 as possible between the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9, so that the condenser 9 heats the evaporator 8 as little as possible.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the rear wall 6 comprises a recess 6 c located in the lower area of the rear wall 6 in which the compressor 10 is affixed. The recess 6 c is designed in such a manner that it is accessible from outside the housing G of the refrigeration device 1 so that the compressor 10 can release its heat relatively efficiently to the surroundings of the housing G. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the recess 6 c does not extend over the entire width of the housing G. The compressor 10 is further supplied with electrical energy by means of a mains cable 13.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the refrigeration circuit was tested before delivery of the disassembled refrigeration device 1 and is fully functional, i.e. the refrigeration device 1 is ready to operate as soon as it is assembled and connected to an electrical power supply.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the refrigeration device 1 also comprises an electronics unit 14 which combines all the electronic components of the refrigeration device 1. The electronics unit 14 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the electronic components comprise a regulating and control unit not shown in detail for regulating the internal temperature of the refrigeration device 1, a temperature sensor 15 required for this regulation, input means 16 for adjusting the desired set temperature of the refrigeration device 1 and a light 16 a for illuminating the interior of the housing G. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the electronics unit 14 is affixed to the inner surface of the top element 4 and comprises a switch 17 which cooperates with the door 7 in such a manner that the light 16 a is switched on when the door 7 is open and is switched off when the door 7 is closed.

In order to regulate the temperature of the refrigeration device 1, the electronics unit 14 is electrically connected to the compressor 10 when the refrigeration device 1 is assembled. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, this electrical connection comprises an electrical lead 30 which runs in a channel running in the top element 4 of the refrigeration device 1, this being an empty tube 31 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, an electrical lead 32 which runs in a channel running in the rear wall 6, this being an empty tube 33 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, and an electrical contact and mating-contact device which is an electrical plug-socket device in the case of the present exemplary embodiment. The socket 34 a of the plug-socket device is affixed to the top element 4 in this case and the plug 34 b of the plug-socket device is affixed to the rear wall 6 in this case.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the empty tube 33 is embedded in the insulating foam 12 of the rear wall 6 and the empty tube 31 is embedded in the insulating foam of the top element 4. One end of the empty tube 31 integrated in the top element 4 leads to the electronics unit 14 and the other end of the empty tube 31 leads to the socket 34 a. One end of the empty tube 33 integrated in the rear wall 6 leads to the recess 6 c and the other end of the empty tube 33 leads to the plug 34 b. The electrical lead 30 running in the empty tube 31 electrically connects the electronics unit 14 to the socket 34 a, the electrical lead 32 running in the empty tube 33 electrically connects the compressor 10 to the plug 34 b, and the plug 34 b and the socket 34 a are designed in such a manner that when assembled, the electronics unit 14 is electrically connected to the compressor 10 in such a manner that the electronics unit 14 triggers the compressor 10 according to the set desired temperature and the actual temperature measured with the temperature sensor 15.

An electrical power supply in the form of electrical leads 35 and 36 provided for the electronics unit 14 is also laid in the empty tubes 31 and 33 and these are interconnected by means of the plug-socket device. The power supply 37 required to produce the low voltage is fixed in the recess 6 c of the rear wall 6 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment.

The assembly of the refrigeration device 1 is now explained in detail hereinafter by means of FIGS. 4 to 9. In order to obtain the housing G of the refrigeration device 1, in the case of the present exemplary embodiment the base element 5 and the rear wall 6 are initially joined using furniture fittings 40. The furniture fittings 40 are designed in such a manner that the base element 5 and the rear wall 6 can be detached from one another again, i.e. that the housing G can be taken apart again. Some of the furniture fittings 40 are shown in detail in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 5 additionally illustrate as an example how the rear wall 6 and the base element 5 are joined to one another by means of some of the furniture fittings 40.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the furniture fittings 40 each comprise a metal pin 40 a which is provided with a thread 40 b. The thread 40 b is screwed into holes 41 pre-drilled in the rear wall 6 using a screwdriver not shown in the case of the present exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 4 one of the metal pins 40 a′ is shown in the unscrewed state. The remaining metal pins 40 a shown in FIG. 4 on the other hand are shown already screwed into the rear wall 6.

After the metal pins 40 a have been screwed into the rear wall 6, the base element 5 which in the case of the present exemplary embodiment comprises pre-drilled holes 42 corresponding to the metal pins 40 a, is brought towards the rear wall 6 in the direction of the arrows 43 in such a manner that the metal pins 40 a screwed into the rear wall 6 are inserted into the corresponding holes 42 of the base element 5. The metal pins 40 a are then provided with lock nuts 40 c by means of the screw driver such that the rear wall 6 and the base element 5 are firmly joined to one another as shown in FIG. 5.

After the base element 5 and the rear wall 6 have been joined firmly together by means of the furniture fittings 40, additional metal pins 40 a are screwed into the rear wall 6 in holes predrilled for this purpose. These screwed metal pins 40 a are shown in the screwed state in FIG. 6. The top element 4 is then brought towards the rear wall 6 in the direction of the arrow 50 in such a manner that the metal pins 40 a are inserted into corresponding holes in the top element 4 not shown in FIG. 6. By inserting the metal pins 40 a of the rear wall 6 into the holes in the top element 4, the socket 34 a secured to the top element 4 and the plug 34 b secure to the rear wall 6 are furthermore aligned with respect to one another such that they automatically connect when the top element 4 and the rear wall 6 are joined together so that electrical contact is made between the compressor 10 and the electronics unit 14. Finally, the metal pins 40 a are provided with lock nuts 40 c in such a manner that the rear wall 6 and the top element 4 are firmly joined to one another.

In order to finally completely assemble the housing G, the two side walls 2 and 3 are likewise joined to the rear wall 6, the top element 4 and the base element 5 by means of furniture fittings. The ready-assembled housing G is shown in FIG. 7.

In addition, two further fittings 70 and 71 are screwed to the underside of the housing G using two screws 72 in each case. One of the fittings 71 is provided with a pin 73 whereby the door 7 of the refrigeration device 1 can be pivotally fixed. As is illustrated in FIG. 8, for fixing the door 7 on the housing G, the door 7 is initially placed on the pin 73 of the fitting 71. The door 7 comprises a suitable hole 74 for this purpose.

Then as can be seen in FIG. 9, another fitting 80 is screwed on the top of the housing G by means of screws 81. The fitting 80 comprises a pin 82 which is placed in a further hole 83 in the door 7.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9 substantially comprise identical tube-on-plate heat exchangers, In particular, different tube-on-plate heat exchangers can also be used for the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9. Other types of heat exchangers are also feasible for the evaporator 8 and condenser 9. In particular, a roll-bond evaporator is suitable.

The refrigeration device according to the invention also need not necessarily be a modular refrigeration device, as was described in the example. A refrigeration device according to the invention can also have a conventional housing, i.e., a housing which cannot be dismantled again. 

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A refrigeration device comprising a housing, a door, a refrigeration circuit comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, and electronic components for operating the refrigeration device, wherein a channel for passing through an electric line or a refrigeration circuit connection is integrated inside the housing and/or the door.
 9. The refrigeration device according to claim 8, wherein the refrigeration device comprises a plurality of surface heat-insulated elements which can be connected to one another and detached from one another and when connected, form the housing of the refrigeration device and the channel is integrated inside at least one of the surface heat-insulated elements.
 10. The modular refrigeration device according to claim 8, wherein an electrical power supply for the electronic components of the refrigeration device and/or the electrical line for the electrical control signals for the refrigeration circuit transmitted by the electronic components are guided in the channel.
 11. The modular refrigeration device according to claim 9, wherein respectively one channel for an electrical line is arranged in two surface heat-insulated elements to be joined and an electrical contact device is integrated in one of these surface heat-insulated elements, which contact device automatically makes electrical contact with an electrical mating contact device integrated in this surface heat-insulated element during the mechanical connection of this surface heat-insulated element to the other surface heat-insulated element.
 12. The modular refrigeration device according to claim 10, wherein both the electrical power supply for the electronic components and also electric control signals from the electronic components to the refrigeration circuit are guided via the electrical contact and mating contact device.
 13. The modular refrigeration device according to claim 8, wherein all the electronic components of the refrigeration device are combined to form an electronics unit.
 14. The modular refrigeration device according to claim 12, wherein the electronics unit is secured to an inner side of the surface heat-insulating element in which the channel is integrated. 